UCLA makes some noise on signing day

Feb. 4, 2009

Updated Aug. 21, 2013 1:17 p.m.

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After signing some highly touted prospects, UCLA coach Rick Neuheisel said Wednesday that he would be disappointed if the Bruins 'aren't on a meteoric track back to the top.' MATT A. BROWN, FOR THE REGISTER

After signing some highly touted prospects, UCLA coach Rick Neuheisel said Wednesday that he would be disappointed if the Bruins 'aren't on a meteoric track back to the top.' MATT A. BROWN, FOR THE REGISTER

LOS ANGELES -- UCLA football coach Rick Neuheisel endured the embarrassment of a 4-8 season embellished with jabs about an early-season ad claiming the end of the area's "football monopoly."

On Wednesday, Neuheisel moved closer to Park Place.

The Bruins' unveiled a 2009 recruiting class that was hailed as among the top 10 in the nation by one service. In the process, Neuheisel possibly has dented USC's armor by snatching four highly regarded players from the Trojans' grasp.

Tight end Morrell Presley was the first to flip, de-committing from USC and enrolling in classes at UCLA in December. In the past few weeks, offensive linemen Stanley Hasiak and Xavier Su'a-Filo and wide receiver Randall Carroll spurned USC to sign letters of intent with UCLA.

Carroll, from Cathedral High in Los Angeles, made his decision dramatically on local TV, pulling on a UCLA cap and leaving the USC cap on the table.

The Bruins didn't exactly leave USC bereft -- the Trojans signed a top-five class by most accounts -- but their inroads mattered to a rivalry that had been one-sided in recent seasons.

"Their home is already built. Players came in and made their mark," Presley said. "Now, it's time for the tables to turn and UCLA to get back on top like in the older days."

Neuheisel said he ran into USC coach Pete Carroll a couple of times while attending high-school games. He said the focus wasn't on stealing USC players, but on competing for them.

"It isn't a put-up-your-dukes type of situation," Neuheisel said. "It's, 'let's let kids look at both opportunities and see how it fits for them.'"

The Bruins' class was heavy on heavy players. Of the 24 players who signed and faxed their letters Wednesday, six were offensive linemen. Two of them were junior-college players ready to compete to start this spring. Neuheisel said Hasiak and Su'a-Filo also could start as freshmen.

Those who watched a lot of UCLA games last year won't be surprised that the team could have 4-5 new starters on the offensive line. The Bruins were routinely manhandled up front, allowing 35 sacks and averaging just 2.6 yards per rushing attempt.

UCLA also could get immediate help from quarterback Richard Brehaut of Rancho Cucamonga's Los Osos High. Brehaut is expected to enroll in time for the spring quarter. Neuheisel said he will compete with incumbent Kevin Craft, redshirt freshman Kevin Prince and others to start this spring.

"We've got to play better at that position and take our 4-8 record and reverse it or maybe even go higher," Neuheisel said. "I'd be disappointed if we aren't on a meteoric track back to the top."

The two major scouting services had differing takes: scout.com placed UCLA's class at No. 4 (tied with North Carolina), while rivals.com had them at No. 14.

The Bruins signed six players from outside California, the furthest being speedy running back Damien Thigpen, who is coming from all the way from Manassas, Va. Offensive coordinator Norm Chow also made strides recruiting his home state of Hawaii.

In addition to Hasiak, the Bruins also plucked running back Dalton Hilliard from the Aloha State. Hawaii receiver Roby Toma also was considered likely to land at UCLA, though he had not finalized his decision late Wednesday.

UCLA missed out on the player widely considered Hawaii's best, linebacker Manti Te'o, who opted to attend Notre Dame.

The Bruins made some inroads in Orange County, signing Nik Abele from Irvine to play either defensive end or offensive tackle and defensive back Alex Mascarenas from Mission Viejo.

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